Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and airbags. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2022 BMW 2 Series: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 BMW 2 Series. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD, RWD | 27–29 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD | 26 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 BMW 2 Series, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Starter trouble dominates these reports. Symptoms include a burning odor, smoke from the engine bay, hard starts that take several tries, and one stall at 5 mph near 59,000 miles. Most filings focus on the wait. Dealers say parts for a recall repair that owners link to the starter are unavailable, with no delivery date months later. Two crash reports describe sudden full-throttle acceleration in parking lots, with injuries. Another describes a drink spill shorting the gear selector. Several filings name other BMW models, including the 840i and 740Li.
The common thread is a sudden loss of drive. Reports include the transmission dropping into neutral while moving, a "Drive Train Malfunction" and "Reduced Power" warning followed by lost power at 50 to 60 mph, and a rear CV joint breaking at 1,645 miles. One rear differential leaked and needed full replacement just under 69,000 miles. Dealers often cannot find a cause. In another case, the car jumped back into Park from a stop, and the dealer traced it to an open door. Several filings name other BMW models.
These complaints involve airbags that deploy when they should not and stay off when they should fire. In one report, every airbag went off after a bump at 25 mph with no impact, and both occupants were hurt. Another describes side airbags staying off in a side crash that knocked a rear passenger unconscious. No warning lights appeared beforehand in either case. Other owners report a Passenger Restraint service message, which one owner suspects comes from a seat or floor sensor, and broader worries about restraint failures.
Every report describes a sidewall failure on P225/45R18 tires. Two describe a tire bursting at 75 mph on the highway, losing all pressure at once and causing some loss of steering control. Dealers found slashes of 4 to 6 inches in the sidewall, one on the inner side. A third tire showed a 2.5-inch sidewall gash while parked, with pressure still normal and no warning light. Road conditions were clear in these reports, and owners paid for the replacement tire or the labor.
Driver-assist systems either stop working or brake hard for no reason. Complaints list forward collision warning, pedestrian warning, blind spot detection, and parking collision warning as not working. One owner reports parking assist applying full braking while driving, causing near collisions. Sensors are described as fragile, with one car affected at 20K miles. Owners say dealers call it a known issue but still charge for repairs. Navigation GPS that is off by miles and in-car cell service that does not work also come up.
The rearview camera and parking sensors cut out, sometimes in the middle of reversing. One complaint says the camera image disappears when park assist is turned off. Another describes a front sensor failing and the backup camera quitting weeks later, with the dealer blaming a tiny chip and outside damage. Rear cross-traffic alert is reported to miss approaching vehicles completely, which led to a near accident. The faults come and go, and dealers often find nothing wrong with the settings.
Excerpts from complaints 2 Series owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
In September 2025, BMW issued a recall # 25V644 for a safety related potential fire issue on the starter for my 2022 840i Gran Coupe. It has now been 4 months, and BMW is still telling me they do not have the assigned parts to resolve this issue. Furthermore, NHTSA has somehow dropped this recall off the records for the VIN of my car, which is troubling. My compliant is BMW is not timely in their efforts to correct a safety fire issue for my vehicle.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
car had 1,645 miles rear left axle broke. Car would not move. Had this occurred on a highway I easily could have been rear ended. Part must have been defective, Dealer replaced the part left rear CV joint but not the right, nor did the dealer confirm both rear axles were not from the same batch. The failure was catastrophic and sudden with no warnings.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
Passenger Restraint service message. Possibly related to airbag seat or floor sensor. Checked BMW customer forums and appears to be widespread issue.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Approached my parked car and noticed a 2.5-inch gash in the sidewall of the tire. No warning light in dashboard. Tire pressure remained at recommended pressure. Previous driving was on 35 mph local roads with optimal driving conditions--clear weather and no road hazards. Drove vehicle to dealer to have tire replaced. Tire was covered under warranty but incurred labor expenses. (P225/45R18)
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Driving at 75 mph on highway, tire "exploded". Tire air pressure immediately dropped to zero, resulting in some lack of steering control. Warning message on dash appeared upon tire failure. Drove with caution lights to open gas station. A 4-inch slash was visible in the sidewall of the tire. Car was towed to dealership and tire was replaced at my expense.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks sixth for owner complaints among 8 2 Series years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the second model year of the 2 Series's second generation (2021–2023).
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 14, 2025.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
Risk: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one 2022 745e hybrid electric vehicle. The high voltage battery may have been produced with a battery cell electrode that was improperly sized during the laser cutting process, which may result in an electrical short-circuit.
Risk: A short-circuit in the battery cell can increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the affected battery cell module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on November 30, 2022. Owners were contacted by phone and by First Class mail on October 28, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 X1 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive30i, and 228i Gran Coupe vehicles. The high-pressure fuel rail may crack and result in a fuel leak within the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems.".
Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 330i, 530i, X3 xDrive30i, and X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The mechatronics unit inside the transmission may not have been assembled properly, which could result in an internal leak.
Risk: An internal transmission leak can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics unit, free of charge. All of the vehicle population for this recall have been repaired. Owner notification letters were not mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Cars shoppers compare with the BMW 2 Series, with their own 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
